Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana

A critical, yet underexplored, dimension of food systems is how consumer food preferences and beliefs interact with the food environment. We present a consumer-centered approach to identifying options for improving diets. The Value Chains for Nutrition (VCN) mixed-methods multi-disciplinary analytic...

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Main Authors: Aberman, Noora-Lisa, Gelli, Aulo, Agandin, John, Kufoalor, Doreen S., Donovan, Jason
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Springer 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141346
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author Aberman, Noora-Lisa
Gelli, Aulo
Agandin, John
Kufoalor, Doreen S.
Donovan, Jason
author_browse Aberman, Noora-Lisa
Agandin, John
Donovan, Jason
Gelli, Aulo
Kufoalor, Doreen S.
author_facet Aberman, Noora-Lisa
Gelli, Aulo
Agandin, John
Kufoalor, Doreen S.
Donovan, Jason
author_sort Aberman, Noora-Lisa
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description A critical, yet underexplored, dimension of food systems is how consumer food preferences and beliefs interact with the food environment. We present a consumer-centered approach to identifying options for improving diets. The Value Chains for Nutrition (VCN) mixed-methods multi-disciplinary analytical approach was applied in rural Ghana. Data from in-depth consumer interviews, structured vendor interviews, and (secondary) household consumption surveys were analyzed to assess consumer diet patterns, related norms and preferences, and supply and demand characteristics of a set of empirically defined high-potential nutritious foods. Mapping results onto a supply–demand typology, we identify promising interventions to support increased availability, access, and affordability of these foods. Consumption data suggested that diets among Ghanaians were deficient in key micronutrients and calories. Fresh nutritious fruits and vegetables tended to be grown for home consumption rather than sale due to transportation challenges and seasonality of demand, especially near rural markets. Seasonal availability (fruits and vegetables) and affordability (animal foods) severely limited consumption of many nutritious foods. A set of supply, demand, and value chain interventions to enhance availability and affordability of nutritious foods are presented. Critical to success is to consider the set of interventions along each value chain required for impact.
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publishDate 2022
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spelling CGSpace1413462025-10-26T13:01:17Z Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana Aberman, Noora-Lisa Gelli, Aulo Agandin, John Kufoalor, Doreen S. Donovan, Jason value chains households nutrition food consumption diet rural areas food systems feeding preferences A critical, yet underexplored, dimension of food systems is how consumer food preferences and beliefs interact with the food environment. We present a consumer-centered approach to identifying options for improving diets. The Value Chains for Nutrition (VCN) mixed-methods multi-disciplinary analytical approach was applied in rural Ghana. Data from in-depth consumer interviews, structured vendor interviews, and (secondary) household consumption surveys were analyzed to assess consumer diet patterns, related norms and preferences, and supply and demand characteristics of a set of empirically defined high-potential nutritious foods. Mapping results onto a supply–demand typology, we identify promising interventions to support increased availability, access, and affordability of these foods. Consumption data suggested that diets among Ghanaians were deficient in key micronutrients and calories. Fresh nutritious fruits and vegetables tended to be grown for home consumption rather than sale due to transportation challenges and seasonality of demand, especially near rural markets. Seasonal availability (fruits and vegetables) and affordability (animal foods) severely limited consumption of many nutritious foods. A set of supply, demand, and value chain interventions to enhance availability and affordability of nutritious foods are presented. Critical to success is to consider the set of interventions along each value chain required for impact. 2022-12 2024-04-12T13:37:44Z 2024-04-12T13:37:44Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141346 en Open Access Springer Aberman, Noora-Lisa; Gelli, Aulo; Agandin, John; Kufoalor, Doreen; and Donovan, Jason. 2022. Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana. Food Security 14: 1359-1375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-022-01277-w
spellingShingle value chains
households
nutrition
food consumption
diet
rural areas
food systems
feeding preferences
Aberman, Noora-Lisa
Gelli, Aulo
Agandin, John
Kufoalor, Doreen S.
Donovan, Jason
Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana
title Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana
title_full Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana
title_fullStr Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana
title_short Putting consumers first in food systems analysis: Identifying interventions to improve diets in rural Ghana
title_sort putting consumers first in food systems analysis identifying interventions to improve diets in rural ghana
topic value chains
households
nutrition
food consumption
diet
rural areas
food systems
feeding preferences
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141346
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